Chapter 5

FIVE

M ari couldn't believe it. She'd flirted and walked away without tripping. Life had to be looking up.

As if on cue later that afternoon, Arden appeared at the bakery, keeping his promise to help Mari with the setup. The other townsfolk greeted him warmly, their easy camaraderie further establishing his place in the community.

"Thank you for coming," Mari said, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach. His presence filled the room, his charisma and charm drawing everyone in like moths to a flame.

Together, they worked to arrange the bakery, their chemistry undeniable as they shared lighthearted banter and laughter. Mari couldn't help but admire Arden's strength and efficiency, his playful nature making the work feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. Every brush of his hand against hers sent a jolt of electricity through her body, and she found herself craving his touch more and more.

During a much-needed break from setting up the kitchen, Mari and Arden found themselves settled comfortably on the couch in the cozy seating area. As they sipped on freshly brewed coffee, Arden shared stories from his time in the military, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he recounted his adventures.

"So there I was, deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest," Arden said, his voice taking on a dramatic tone, "armed with nothing but my wits and a trusty machete."

Mari leaned forward, her hazel eyes wide with interest, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "A machete? Please tell me you weren't planning on taking on the entire rainforest with just that."

Arden chuckled, his laughter infectious, sending a delightful shiver down Mari's spine. "No, no, I was part of a special ops team tasked with rescuing a group of scientists who had gotten lost. But let me tell you, hacking through those vines was no joke. I swear, some of them were thicker than my arm."

He flexed his bicep for emphasis, and Mari couldn't help but appreciate the way his shirt stretched across his well-defined muscles. Her gaze lingered, drinking in the sight of him, before she quickly averted her eyes, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"So, how did you end up becoming a deputy sheriff in Whispering Pines?" Mari asked, her voice slightly breathless as she tried to steer the conversation back to safer territory.

Arden's expression softened, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "After years of serving in the military, I realized I wanted to make a difference closer to home. When the opportunity arose to join the sheriff's department here, I jumped at the chance. There's something special about this town, and I wanted to be a part of protecting it."

Mari nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well. "I know what you mean. Whispering Pines has a way of drawing you in and making you feel like you belong."

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, closing the distance between them. "What about you, Mari? What's your story?"

Mari hesitated, her fingers fiddling with the handle of her coffee mug. She took a deep breath, deciding to open up about her background. "Well, before I moved here, I was a teacher at a prestigious magical academy. I specialized in teaching the art of infusing magic into culinary creations."

Arden's eyebrows shot up, a look of genuine fascination crossing his face. "Really? That sounds incredible. So, you're not just a talented baker, but a magical one at that?"

A blush crept up Mari's cheeks at his praise, and she ducked her head to hide her smile. "I suppose you could say that. I've always had a passion for baking, and when I discovered I could combine it with my magical abilities, it opened a whole new world of possibilities."

Mari's voice grew animated as she described her unique approach to creating enchanted pastries. "Imagine a macaron that not only tastes divine but also fills you with a sense of joy and contentment. Or an eclair that helps you focus and sharpen your mind. That's the kind of magic I love to create."

"You have a real gift. I can't wait to see what kind of magical delights you'll whip up in this place."

Mari's heart fluttered at his words, a warmth spreading through her chest. "Thank you, Arden. That means a lot coming from you."

As they continued working, Mari opened up about her recent divorce, her voice growing somber. "It's been difficult," she admitted, her gaze fixed on the floor. "Letting go of the past and starting over. There were times when I thought I'd never be able to escape the grip of my ex-husband's control."

Arden reached out, his hand gently covering hers in a comforting gesture. The warmth of his touch sent a tingle up her arm, and she craved more. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Mari. But you're here now, and you're taking control of your life. That takes an incredible amount of strength and courage."

Mari looked up, her eyes meeting his. The sincerity and understanding in his gaze touched her deeply, and she felt a connection beyond mere attraction. "Thank you, Arden. I don't know if I could have done this without the support of Molly and everyone here in Whispering Pines."

"Anytime," Arden said softly, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, "Just don't expect any magical cupcakes from me. Unless you count the kind that might make you question your life choices the next morning."

Mari laughed, the mood instantly lightening. She playfully swatted his arm, relishing the feel of his firm muscles beneath her fingertips. "I think we'll leave the baking to me, Deputy. Wouldn't want to have to arrest yourself for crimes against pastry."

Arden chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. I'll stick to taste-testing and leave the magic to the expert."

They grinned at each other, the link between them growing stronger with each passing moment. As they resumed their work, Mari's heart felt lighter than it had in years.

Arden's expression softened, his hand reaching out to give hers a reassuring squeeze. "We're all here for you."

His words, filled with empathy and support, helped ease the weight on Mari's shoulders. For the first time in a long while, she felt understood and less burdened by the ghosts of her past.

The peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the arrival of a delivery, a package addressed to Mari. With trembling hands, she opened it to find a threatening letter from Victor, her ex-husband's words dripping with malice and control.

Panic seized Mari's heart, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. Arden was by her side in an instant, his strong arms encircling her in a protective embrace. She melted into his touch, finding solace in the safety of his arms.

"Hey, it's okay," he murmured, his voice low and soothing, his breath warm against her ear. "You're safe. We'll handle this together."

Mari clung to him, drawing strength from his unwavering support. She confided in Arden about the ongoing harassment from Victor, the frustration, anger, fear, and anxiety that had plagued her since the divorce.

Arden's jaw clenched, a fierce determination burning in his eyes. "We'll involve Sheriff Mallory and take every measure to ensure your safety. I won't let anything happen to you, Mari. I promise."

His words filled with such conviction and care touched something deep within Mari. She nodded, a shaky smile forming on her lips as she realized that for the first time in years, she wasn't facing her troubles alone.

Despite the unsettling interruption, Mari and Arden continued to prepare for the bakery's grand opening. The townsfolk rallied around them, offering their help and support, showing Mari she had found a true community in Whispering Pines.

Later that day, Mari and Arden found themselves alone in the shop. The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm, golden light over their faces.

"Thank you, Arden," Mari said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "For everything."

They stood there for a moment, lost in each other's gaze, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Mari wanted so badly to follow her instincts when it came to him, but the wounds from her past were still fresh, and the anger toward her ex-husband simmered beneath the surface.

"Are you doing anything for dinner?" Arden asked casually, his voice breaking the tension.

Mari nibbled her bottom lip and shook her head. "Arden, I don't want you to think that how we met that night is how I am on a regular basis." She cleared her throat, her voice growing stronger as she continued. "I am trying to figure out who I am. I need to learn what I want, and I don't want you to get hurt in the process. I'm still dealing with the aftermath of my divorce, and I'm not sure I'm ready for anything more than friendship right now."

Arden took her hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. The gesture was both comforting and electrifying, sending a shiver down Mari's spine. "If you need time, I can understand that. But don't deny what we both know is there. I won't rush you or push you. I only want us to get to know each other."

Mari swallowed hard at the heat in his eyes, her resolve wavering for a moment. She couldn't deny the attraction between them, but the fear of falling into another controlling relationship held her back. "I won't deny there's something there, but that's as far as I can go right now, Arden. You're young and hot, I'm sure you have a group of women looking for a good time, whereas I'm not that type of person. I need to focus on myself and my own healing."

His slow grin made her heart thud hard in her chest. "You think I'm hot?"

She rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "That's all you heard, huh?"

"No, but it's nice to know."

Mari shook her head and laughed, the tension in the room easing slightly. "This isn't going to be easy, is it?"

Arden pulled her into his arms and brushed his lips over hers in a soft caress that made her instantly moan. He moved back just as quickly and shook his head. "No, no it's not. But it will be interesting."

Mari sighed, her heart torn between the desire to explore the connection between them and the need to protect herself from further heartbreak. She knew that healing from her past would take time, and she couldn't rush into anything new, no matter how tempting it might be.

"I need to take things slow, Arden," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hope you can understand that."

Arden nodded, his eyes filled with understanding and a wide smile on his lips. "I do, Mari. I'll be here as a friend, sex slave, or whatever you need me to be. We'll take this at your pace."

Mari laughed. "Thank you, Arden. That means more to me than you know. Especially the sex slave part."